Liverpool John Lennon Airport (JLA) is defiant about Lufthansa's decision to suspend services from the city as it sets its sights on attracting more new airlines in 2024.
The ECHO reported earlier this month that Lufthansa will suspend its Liverpool to Frankfurt route from February. The route, which began operating in 2022, meant that Liverpool could offer international connectivity to destinations across the globe with a stop in the German finance capital.
However, Lufthansa said it suspended the route due to a lack of plane availability, as the airline has to undergo maintenance work on some of its fleet. JLA CEO John Irving told the ECHO that the airport has been disheartened by that decision and its impact but has already begun working to bring the route back.
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"We were really disappointed – as I'm sure all the people in the city region who have used it are", he said. "I think it was five years ago when we first had Lufthansa over in the city region to meet businesses and politicians so to finally get that route in 2022 was a huge moment for the airport.
"It's not the same volume as Jet2 (which is beginning operations from JLA in March) but in terms of status and what it brings to the region, economically and from a connecting point of view, it was huge. We were expecting that to grow over summer, not to be suspended, so to get that news which came very unexpectedly to us was very disappointing.
"In aviation you can lose a route but this is such an important part of what we're trying to build here at Liverpool, more importantly for the city region. We haven't accepted it by just saying 'oh we'll get on with it', it's driven by aircraft utilisation and engine issues. It is suspended for summer, not cancelled, and I think that's important.
"We're already talking to the UK team and the team in Frankfurt about when it can come back and how we get it over the line and what we need to do. We'd prefer not to need to do that and just be flying but I think everybody understands its importance and it was a newish route for Lufthansa and it was doing well.
"It's not a route that we knew was under any pressure, it was doing well. I think we have to take it for what it is, it's very disappointing, it needs to come back at the earliest opportunity.
"It was doing well and it was connecting people around Europe and across the world. It's a blow for us, but the comment we would make – and I'm sure the business leaders of the city region would agree – is that it needs to come back.
"It's something we all want and need and I'm sure Lufthansa will see that as soon and as soon as they've got aircraft availability it will be one that makes its return. But I think we'll have to wait and see over the next few months in terms of when that could be."
Despite the disappointment of this development, work continues at JLA to bring more routes and airlines to Liverpool. Mr Irving described the March 2024 arrival of Jet2 as "massive", citing the number of new routes, jobs and planes based in Speke as a result, but he wants to bring even more capacity and choice to passengers.
He said: "We've had a good year for new airlines – Jet2 is the standout one but we've had a few. Aurigny flying into Guernsey, Dan Air (connecting Liverpool with Bacau in Romania), there's lots of stuff. Even with our current partners easyJet and Ryanair, there's new routes and routes that are being developed to fly to places that we know have a demand."
"That work (looking for new airlines and routes) never stops. Our aviation guys are always looking at routes that we know will work for a carrier and finding the right carrier is the key.
"We've had a good year of adding in airlines and that might not be replicated every year, but if there's a route that we know people in the Liverpool City Region need or want then we will be out there looking for someone to do that, whether it's a current carrier or a new one.
"For us, we've got a great airport, we're going to do a lot of work this winter to make sure it's ready for growth and we can expect more growth over the coming years. We know that Jet2 will be putting a fifth based aircraft in the following year, which is a great sign that it's working and it's going to work here in Liverpool really well.
"We'll always be looking for opportunities that work for everyone and can be a long term partner for us. Hopefully it will be another good year next year, we're going to see lots of new people in the airport, we'll have a great year and if we can build on the successes we've had then that should continue into the future."
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